A battle joined: pro-Trump Catholics counter Vigil for Democracy

Pro and anti-Trump ‘battle’ lines have been drawn along Chester Street in Front Royal. Photos/Roger Bianchini

Since we last checked in with the weekly “Vigil for Democracy” protests of the Trump agenda and methodology, a counter-demonstration of pro-Trump Catholics have joined Ralph and Michael Waller across Chester Street.  Their presence began on May 24 and has continued between noon and 1 p.m. every Wednesday, the time the Vigil protesters have gathered since March 8.

The pro-Trump Catholics have circled the sidewalk in front of the Wallers’ pawn shop, often behind an image of the virgin Mary praying “Hail Mary’s” and the Rosary aloud, while displaying signage ranging from anti-abortion and anti-birth control issues, to “Pray for our President” and somewhat dated attacks on Hillary Clinton, including “Benghazi” and murder-mystery conspiracy theories like “Hillary, who killed Seth Rich?”

Above, on May 24 initial pro-Trump contingent marched behind portrait of the virgin Mary praying with little notice of anti-Trump protesters across street. Below, sporting flags allying Trump, America and the Knights Templar on June 14, pro-Trump contingent has increasingly focused its attention on the protesters across the street.

Not that vigil participants haven’t acknowledged the religious nature of the counter protest that has developed across the street. (right click to ‘Open in New Tab’ for easier reading of small print)

In fact, their first appearance with about eight people, including infants and children featuring anti-abortion and Virgin Mary signage, led to some confusion at the “Vigil” across the street.  One vigil participant asked this reporter if there was an abortion clinic in or near the pawn shop that the new protesters were targeting. – “Nope,” I replied, “I think it is directed at you and the vigil” – a fact since verified more clearly by additional pro-Trump signage and an increasing focus on the vigil demonstrators directly across Chester Street.  In fact, over the last two weeks a life-size cardboard cutout of President Trump has been added to the mix, which the pro-Trump contingent serenaded with “Happy Birthday” on June 14, Trump’s 71^st birthday.

To left, an almost-life-sized Donald showed up for his June 14 birthday.

Across the street at the Town of Front Royal Gazebo and Village Commons, the core of about 20 demonstrators who have joined organizer Len Sherp remain focused on issues ranging from the Trump and Republican health care initiative (“Even Trump thinks Trumpcare is mean” one sign read on June 14 – a reaction to the president’s recent comment/Tweet that the Republican Health Care Bill was “mean”); the Russia collusion investigation (“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing…” – Donald Trump campaigning, July 27, 2016); Trump’s unilateral decision to withdraw from the entirely-voluntary Paris Climate Accord; and the president’s potentially ongoing business conflicts of interest.

That latter issue relates to the “Emoluments” clause of the U.S. Constitution concerning foreign business investments that could impact presidential policy decisions.  It has led two attorney generals (Maryland and the District of Columbia) and over 190 Democratic congressmen to file or plan to file criminal complaints against the president for his ongoing profiting from business interests he refused to divest from after his election; and which he is reported to still get briefings on from his adult sons.

Those profits center on foreign dignitaries and political envoy groups altering U.S. accommodation plans from non-Trump into Trump-owned facilities in order to curry favor with the president of the United States.

A member of a Rappahannock theater group dressed as “blind Justice” joined the Vigil for Democracy on June 14 – MAN, it must have been HOT in there – that’s better; can “Justice” see now?

We were told several Vigil for Democracy participants have attempted to continue the conversation begun with the Wallers in late April by visiting the new Catholic contingent to seek potential common ground.  In fact, one of those vigil emissaries, Laura Henderson, told us that while she welcomes citizens exercising their Constitutional right to express differing viewpoints, she found it sad that the new pro-Trump protesters’ presence seems to have for the most part stifled the common-ground conversation that had been continuing over a number of weeks across Chester Street.

A June 14 vigil comment on the president’s recent attack on the Republican health care plan poised to re-emerge from the Senate with no planned public discussion of changes to the House Bill prior to a vote.

In reaction to the “Pray for our President” signs I have heard – “And deliver him from Russia, Amen” from the vigil side.

However, there was a June 14 offer of some Trump birthday cupcakes across political lines – an offer to the vigil side that came with a disclaimer by the deliverer that the cupcakes were “not poisoned”.

So, perhaps there is still hope of dialogue being re-engaged, or at least (non-poisoned) peace offerings being made across the street …

On June 14, the debate over ‘truth’ joined the signage debate over Trump, not only as a political, but a spiritual leader as well. (right click to ‘Open in New Tab’ for easier reading of small print)